One of the best places in the world to view pelicans is in British Columbia. No, not in Florida or the Caribbean, but right here in our own back yard....more

One of the best places in the world to view pelicans is in British Columbia. No, not in Florida or the Caribbean, but right here in our own back yard. That’s if you regard the Chilcotin plateau as our backyard because it’s a bit of a hike to get there and not getting any shorter. But if you like rare birds, bird watching in general and the great outdoors, well, the Chilcotin is the place for you.

One of the best places in the world to view pelicans is right here in British Columbia. No, not in Florida or the Caribbean, but right here in our own backyard. That’s if you regard the Chilcotin plateau as our backyard because it’s a bit of a hike to get there and not getting any shorter. But if you like rare birds, bird watching in general and the great outdoors, well, the Chilcotin is the place for you.

The best site to find the American white pelican on its summer nesting grounds is Stum Lake within White Pelican Provincial Park, but there is a problem. The park is closed to the public every spring and summer until Aug. 31 to protect the birds from disturbances. This is the only nesting colony in British Columbia. The birds are very sensitive to any disturbance, which can result in the loss of all young. The White Pelican has been legally designated as an endangered species in British Columbia.

However, there are pelican viewing opportunities at other lakes in the Chilcotin, especially at Nazko Lake Park just north of Alexis Creek on Highway 20. Nazko Lake Park is a feeding area for the birds and they can be seen hunting for fish in the morning and evening by dipping their bills into the water while swimming or standing in shallow water. They also feed on frogs, salamanders and crayfish.

Lakes, rivers, estuaries and wetlands in the Chilcotin region fall within the migratory path of many other birds. Red-necked grebes, hummingbirds, common loons, wood ducks, ospreys, yellow-headed black birds, flycatchers, woodpeckers, yellow warblers, blue herons, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, hawks, sandpipers, and seagulls are just some of the many bird species living or migrating through the Chilcotin.

Catching a good look at many of these birds in the wetlands will require camping out in one of the provincial parks or private lodges. That brings up another alternative — the best one. If you make a reservation at The Eagle’s Nest Resort just west of Anahim Lake, you’ll be able to see pelicans from the comfort of your room. You’ll also get to enjoy great food and the warm ambience that makes the Eagle’s Nest one of the most different destinations in the province.

When I dropped by The Nest, the first thing I noticed was the grand piano, crystal chandeliers, white linen tables and classy atmosphere of the dining room. What the heck? The West Chilcotin is one of the true ‘last frontiers’ left on the planet. It’s so far off the beaten track that you will actually see cowboys and Indians riding the range and wandering the streets of the tiny town of Anahim Lake, famous for its annual rodeo and for being the birthplace of hockey star Carey Price.

Where did the crystal and glass come from?

Evidently, a European countess (or was it an Austrian baroness?) discovered Anahim Lake 50 years ago and built the original lodge, which has now grown to include several cabins and cottages. Some of the log cabins are rustic, with wood stoves and propane heat, or you can book a suite in the main lodge with balcony and satellite connections.

I confess I did not have time to stay for dinner, but the lodge enjoys a reputation for fine food seldom enjoyed in the middle of wilderness. Dinner entrées include delicacies such as wild salmon, lemon caper chicken or authentic Austrian goulash or schnitzel, along with homemade breads and deserts.

Eagle’s Nest is surrounded by wilderness forest and three mountain ranges — the Itcha, the Ilgatchuz, and the Rainbow.

Together these three ranges comprise what is known as the Anahim Volcanic Belt, a series of ancient volcanoes. Spectacular Tweedsmuir Park is only a 20-minute drive and home to Hunlen Falls, the third highest free-falling waterfall in Canada. There’s excellent canoeing along the Turner Lake chain and numerous hikes of various lengths in the park. Also commonly seen are fox, coyote, mink, beaver, muskrat and river otter.

Apparently you can work up an appetite for dinner with a day hike around the Eagle’s Nest Marsh Trail, along the volcanic canyon wall of The Precipice, up the Mount Kappan Lookout Trail for a magnificent 270-degree view of the Pacific Coast Mountains.

Did I do that? No, I was too amazed to be able to see a flock of pelicans from my vantage point sitting at the end of the dock while sipping a latte. Using my Panasonic Lumix FZ200 with 24X zoom as binoculars, I was able to bring the spectacular birds close.

The white pelican is one of the largest birds in the world, averaging 155 cm (five feet) in length with a wingspan of 275 cm (nine feet). They must provide roughly 70 kg of food to nourish a chick from its birth to the time it’s ready to forage on its own. Predators include foxes, coyotes, gulls, ravens, great horned owls and bald eagles.

American White Pelicans are a rarity. They breed at fewer than 60 colonies in North America.

Head to Anahim Lake to see these marvellous creatures for yourself. Check into the Eagle’s Nest, put your feet up and relax. You’ll dine out on your story for years.